World's Best Islands

No. 28 Phuket, Thailand

It’s been almost seven years since the tsunami hit, and Phuket is decidedly back in business. Many resorts renovated, new ones have opened, the arts scene is on the rise—if anything, the island struggles with overdevelopment in certain areas. The beaches still wow, from serene Hat Nai Harn on the island’s southern tip to near-deserted Mai Khao Beach in northwestern Sirinat National Park. Go inland to ride elephants or ATVs through the lush hills or to wander among the Sino-Portuguese architecture of Phuket Town.